| Appearance |
 Brown,
heavy-bodied, 6 to 8 inches long, with small eyes and ears and
blunt nose. Tail is shorter than head and body. Its fur is shaggy. |
| Habitat |
| Rats live in fields, wooded areas, vacant lots, farms, and just
about anywhere people have buildings. Norway rats nest in underground burrows,
from which they enter buildings in search of food. Tends to remain
in hiding during the day. Rats may find harborage in many areas around
the
home- especially in stacked firewood, stones and bricks, and piles
of leaves or other debris. |
| Diet |
|
Omnivorous, but prefers meat. Requires regular supply
of water.
|
| Control |
|
The best way to avoid invasions of rodents is to eliminate hoarborage,
andto seal holes and cracks in the outside of the home
through which mice might enter.
Keep firewood stored as far from the home as possible and store
it off the ground.
Remove any piles of debris, stones, bricks, etc. Do not allow piles
of leaves to accumulate next to the home's foundation. This
serves as attractive harborage for mice in particular.
Seal any hole or crack larger than 1/4 of an inch.
Install weatherstripping on the bottom of all doors to prevent
rodents from entering. |
|
